Science gives us knowledge; wisdom tells us how to use it. It’s a powerful distinction that separates raw data from meaningful action, a concept that becomes more critical every single day.
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Meaning
This quote draws a clear line between possessing information (knowledge) and possessing the judgment to apply it for good (wisdom).
Explanation
Look, I’ve seen this play out so many times. You can have the smartest person in the room, someone with all the data, all the facts, all the scientific knowledge you could ever want. But if they lack wisdom, that knowledge can be useless. Or worse, dangerous. Wisdom is the moral compass, the ethical framework, the lived experience that whispers, “Okay, we *can* do this… but *should* we?” It’s the bridge between knowing and doing the right thing.
Quote Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Original Language | English (3668) |
| Category | Education (260) |
| Topics | application (7), science (14), wisdom general (18) |
| Literary Style | aphoristic (181), balanced (59) |
| Emotion / Mood | rational (68), reflective (382) |
| Overall Quote Score | 81 (258) |
Origin & Factcheck
This specific phrasing comes from the 2012 book Doctor Chopra Says by Sanjiv Chopra, Alan Lotvin, and David Fisher, published in the United States. It’s a modern take on a very, very old philosophical idea, so you might see the sentiment echoed elsewhere, but this is its direct origin.
Attribution Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Author | Sanjiv Chopra (48) |
| Source Type | Book (4032) |
| Source/Book Name | Doctor Chopra Says: Medical Facts and Myths Everyone Should Know (48) |
| Origin Timeperiod | 21st Century (1892) |
| Original Language | English (3668) |
| Authenticity | Verified (4032) |
Author Bio
Dr Sanjiv Chopra is an American physician, hepatologist, and professor of medicine (emeritus) at Harvard Medical School. He served as Faculty Dean for Continuing Medical Education at Harvard and practiced at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. He writes and speaks on wellness, purpose, longevity, and leadership. The Dr Sanjiv Chopra book list features Leadership by Example, Dr. Chopra Says, The Big Five, The Two Most Important Days, and Brotherhood with his brother Deepak Chopra. He continues to mentor clinicians and inspire general readers through keynotes and media.
| Official Website | Facebook | X| Instagram
Where is this quotation located?
| Quotation | Science gives us knowledge; wisdom tells us how to use it |
| Book Details | Publication Year: 2010; ISBN: 978-0312611742; Last Edition: 1st Edition; Number of Pages: 304. |
| Where is it? | Chapter 12: The Spirit of Medicine, Approximate page from 2010 edition |